My son was diagnosed with autism at 9 years old, struggled with school and family issues, started isolating at 13, and went through a period of depression.
But it was nothing compared to what he was like when he turned sixteen. , I no longer want to interact with anyone.
His school knew he was very depressed and advised him to call his GP. It was his first kick in the teeth. In effect the GP said ‘here are some leaflets and some helplines’. .
One time he went missing. I then noticed he began to express his suicidal thoughts. When he disappeared, he left some people with very disturbing messages about how he was going to slit his throat.
The day he disappeared, I got a message that he didn’t show up at school. He didn’t answer the phone to me or anyone else. He was out with his girlfriend and neither of them said where they were.
I searched all over town for him all morning. Two hours later the police found him hiding behind the perimeter fence of the local cricket field. The police were kind enough to take us to A&E.
He was evaluated with someone on the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Camhs) team. However, the A&E doctor made it clear that day that the hospital could not do more for him and that he should go home. He is Camhs rated and that service will keep him in touch.
They wouldn’t tell me what was bothering him so much because he asked not to. , said I should keep all the knives and the very strong painkillers I’m taking locked up because he had one before.
When we went to A&E I wanted him to be recognized because I couldn’t do better for him and felt unprepared and inadequate. felt. I was afraid I was going to get out of my depth and lose my child. I just wanted someone to take him away from me and take care of him and make him better.
I was so confused when the A&E doctor said I had to go home. I thought they would keep my son at home, given how painful and vulnerable he was. I just thought: what condition do I need to be in to maintain? I was in complete shock.
My son is in such a bad state that we haven’t even discussed hospitalization, so I still don’t know what kind of condition he needs to be in to actually be hospitalized. It wasn’t “Let’s go home”, it was just “Let’s go home”.
I think young people with mental health crises will just get fired. I have spoken with other parents and the story is the same. Young people may have eating disorders and may have definite plans to commit suicide, and Camhs would say it’s not serious enough to get hospital treatment. Attend GP surgery or A&E I don’t think young people with disabilities will get the support they need.
Camhs ended up being very good for my son. they did everything they had to do. But it was all too late. He’s coping really well now. He has a girlfriend and is more conscious of his mental health. I just hope that we will never fall into such a crisis again.
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In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the United States, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, Lifeline for Crisis Support Services is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found on befriend.
